6-Year Courses

Some UK medical schools offer 6 year programmes. These courses normally begin with 1 year of science-based teaching, after which you join the standard 5 year programme at the medical school. Alternatively, some courses spread the work of the normal degree over a longer period of time, to help people keep up with the course.

These courses are usually designed to widen access to medical profession. As a result, courses are either aimed at people from a particular part of the country, people from less advantaged backgrounds or those who do not have a scientific background.

Having more than one science A level or a degree in a scientific subject may make you ineligible for these courses. In contrast, some 6 year courses do require science qualifications so make sure you read through the criteria carefully.